ICC Rejects Bangladesh Request to Shift T20 World Cup Matches Out of India
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh’s demand to move their matches in next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup out of India, stating that security assessments found no threat to Bangladesh’s players, officials, media, or fans at tournament venues. The decision was taken during an emergency ICC board meeting after Bangladesh refused to tour India and insisted their fixtures be held in Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the event.
In an official statement, the ICC said multiple security reviews, including independent assessments, confirmed there was no credible risk and that it was not feasible to alter the schedule so close to the tournament’s start on February 7. The governing body added that changing fixtures without a proven security concern could set a precedent that may impact the integrity of future ICC events. With the schedule unchanged, Bangladesh now faces the choice of participating as planned or being replaced in the 20-team tournament.
The standoff comes amid worsening political relations between India and Bangladesh, intensified after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from this year’s Indian Premier League despite signing with a Kolkata franchise. Bangladesh subsequently refused to tour India and banned IPL broadcasts in the country. The ICC noted that Bangladesh repeatedly linked its World Cup participation to Mustafizur’s IPL issue, calling it “isolated and unrelated” to tournament security arrangements, while Pakistan will continue playing its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka due to its long-standing policy of not touring India.
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